Parkway Widening to Require More Tree Cutting

More trees will be removed along the Garden State Parkway as part of a widening project, but turnpike officials say it will affect a limited area.

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The $900 million widening project between Ocean County and Atlantic County angered some residents and public officials a few years ago when numerous oak, maple, cedar and pine trees were removed between Somers Point and Stafford Township.

New Jersey Turnpike Authority spokesman Tom Feeney tells The Press of Atlantic City that project encompassed about 250 acres while the current phase involves 3.9 acres.

Under state law, the turnpike authority must plant an acre of trees for every acre it removes.

Widening the Parkway is expected to reduce congestion and accidents on a part of the roadway that is heavily used during the summer.